Adult Class

Ventura and Norberto Fabian, Instructors

Learn how to paint Zapotec design motifs with visiting artists from Oaxaca, Mexico. The father-son team—Ventura and Norberto Fabian—continue the tradition of creating hand-carved and hand-painted wooden figures known as alebrijes. This folk art is rooted in traditional rural village life and is one of Mexico’s most popular crafts. Participants will select an original small figure to paint that they can take home. The class will be taught in Spanish with translation to English.

Family Event

Live music, Oaxacan wood carving, and festive decorations help to make this a joyful event designed to remember and welcome back the spirits of loved ones. Decorate a sugar skull (additional $6 fee); sip spicy hot chocolate; make papel picado (cut paper banners), cempasúchil flowers and other artwork; and write a message in any language you choose to place upon the Día de los Muertos altar. The community altar art will be created by students at the Rafael Hernández Dual Language School in Boston.

Free Public Event

Peer into an active archaeological excavation and learn about the oldest section of North America’s first college, founded in 1636. Harvard archaeology students will answer your questions, demonstrate archaeological methods, and display recent finds from the seventeenth century that reflect how Harvard College students—centuries ago—ate, dressed, and amused themselves, among other experiences. Drop by any time during this 90-minute event. The site is in Harvard Yard, steps away from the famous John Harvard statue.